Private Practicehttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice
Just another Psych Central Professional Sites siteTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:14:26 +0000en-UShourly1PrivatePracticeToolboxhttps://feedburner.google.com7 Factors That Affect Private Practice Incomehttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/03/7-factors-that-affect-private-practice-income/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/03/7-factors-that-affect-private-practice-income/#commentsTue, 31 Mar 2015 16:14:26 +0000http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=6968Maintaining a successful therapy private practice takes a lot of time, effort, and skill. There are countless aspects of your business that require painstaking attention in order for things to run smoothly. It can be difficult to work so hard and still sometimes experience economic uncertainty, so it’s important to analyze the causes of financial inconsistencies. Here are 7 factors that affect private practice income:

1) Client Retention Rates

The ability to keep a client engaged in meaningful and helpful therapy is a learned skill that greatly impacts your private practice income. It doesn’t get as much attention as generating new referrals, but in my experience it is equally important. While it would inappropriate to continue seeing an individual who no longer needs or desires therapy, keeping clients committed to the therapy process and attending sessions regularly not only helps them adequately work through their struggles and meet their goals, it also helps practitioners maintain their business. Conversely, clients who prematurely discontinue therapy put both themselves and their mental health professionals at a disadvantage.

2) The Number of New Referrals

Acquiring new clients is of course an excellent way to increase income, but it can be hard to predict the ebbs and flows of exactly when new individuals will seek your services, so it’s not a guaranteed strategy. I have found that it’s helpful to begin tracking the number of new referrals and then chart them so you can anticipate and prepare for business lulls in coming years.

3) Economic Climate

The general state of the economy can greatly impact whether clients will go to sessions as often or are willing to pay out of pocket. For some individuals, therapy is considered a necessity, while others may be view it as a luxury. Your income as a practitioner is in part dependent on the current economy of your community and state.

4) Season/Time of Year

The time of year can affect when current and/or potential clients ramp up their therapy time, as well as when they often take breaks. In my experience, the last two weeks of December is when everyone (clients and providers) take time off for the holidays. Just as with new referrals, tracking the dips in client numbers can help you save for those times when you will not be getting paid.

5) Fee Collection

You may have a steady stream of clients, but your income can be significantly lowered if a number of them have outstanding financial balances. How much money do people owe you? Are you good at collecting your fees? If you work with insurance companies, are you able to get reimbursed in a timely manner? All of these play a major role in the financial stability of your private practice (click here for how to set high expectations and create firm financial policies).

6) Moving Office Location

Relocation will almost certainly affect your private practice income. Depending on how far you move, it can take time to develop relationships, create a strong web presence, and acquire referral sources for therapy. Even if you are moving to another location in the same city, you may find that this may temporarily impact your client hours.

7) Leave of Absence/Taking a Vacation

One of the biggest complaints I hear from private practitioners is that if they are sick and have to miss a few weeks, they are left without an income. Taking some time off from seeing clients means we are not getting paid; understandably, this can create financial concerns.

These and other factors (some within your control, others not) can greatly affect how financially stable your practice will be. And as one of my goals is to help therapists experience income stability, I again strongly encourage you to pursue multiple income streams as a way of advancing professionally, serving your community, and also providing for your own needs.

We’ve spent thousands and thousands of dollars on graduate education, continuing education, advanced clinical trainings and years in practicum and under supervision. We have invested a lot in our credentials, and all of the impressive acronyms behind our names. PhD, LCSW, LMFT, RPT, CSAC, LPC — and the list goes on.

In my twenty plus years of practice, I have realized that what we value as clinicians is not necessarily the same thing as what those who are considering our services value. In fact, there are some principle criteria that we as clinicians need to meet in order for an individual to choose us as his/her therapist. Of course, there are exceptions. There are clients who are savvy to the ins and outs of mental health credentials, trainings, and certifications and are seeking help from someone in a specific discipline or with specific training. However, as a general rule, potential clients want to answer “yes” to these 3 questions before they select you as their clinician.

1) Do I like you?

A sometimes overlooked step of gaining new clients is your approachability. You can have advanced degrees and training, but if someone does not feel drawn to you initially, it’s very unlikely he/she will choose you. And remember that not everyone will necessarily favor your particular style, and that’s ok! Just as you are looking for an ideal client, he/she is looking for an ideal therapist.

One way potential clients may determine if they like you is by what they see of your online presence. What can someone learn about your personality from your photo(s) and you online content? How do you present yourself? All these can play a significant role in whether or not someone takes the next step in seeking your services.

2) Can I trust you?

Trust is a critical aspect of the therapy process, and people may want to get an idea of how trustworthy they perceive you to be before becoming a paying client (we don’t share our innermost struggles with just anyone). Are you someone who can be trusted with another’s vulnerabilities and pain? Would potential clients feel comfortable confiding in you? Do they feel like you are someone who would value and care about them? Do they believe that you are a competent provider?

When it comes to building trust with potential clients, once again a strong online presence can go a long way. By viewing the content you post on your blog and/or social media platforms, they can get a sense of your level of credibility and trustworthiness, and you can begin the process of fostering trust even before a client’s first session.

3) Can you help me?

You as a therapist are there to serve, and individuals interested in you want to know that you have the skills to help them. Understandably, potential clients will be willing to emotionally and financially invest in therapy only if they believe it will truly benefit them. Can you use your training and experience to help them problem solve or develop coping skills? Does your professional expertise match their therapeutic needs? The answers to these questions influence whether or not someone will choose you.

An individual may not be able to fully know if you can help him/her until therapy actually begins. However, your online presence can still play a factor in introducing yourself, your approach, and your therapy style him/her. For example, media interviews can help potential clients see you as not just a provider, but as an expert in your speciality area. This type of exposure allows others to see your level of skill and competence (read here for more about how media interviews can benefit your practice).

If there is anything you’ve taken from reading posts on Private Practice Toolbox, it likely has to do with the importance of having a strong online presence to educate and serve your community. There’s a lot to consider: social media, blogging, podcasting, SEO, etc. But there’s another aspect of building your practice that we haven’t quite covered yet: newsletters.

Newsletters are a tool you may consider implementing for your practice. A newsletter is a letter you send out to your clients and readers updating them on what’s happening with your practice (it’s a good idea to send them out monthly; you don’t want to overwhelm your audience with too much from you, but you also don’t want them to forget about you). They can be an effective way to connect with your readers and offer some insight on topics related to your specialty, inform them of any upcoming events or seminars, and just overall keep in touch.

Newsletter or Blog Post?

If you’re continually producing fresh content, there’s often a question of where to place it. Does it work better for a newsletter or for a blog post? While there will be some overlap between the two, there are significant differences between what type of content is best for what medium. Anyone can read your blog or site, but your newsletter is much more tailored and specific, and only people who have subscribed will receive it. These are local users who have shown that they have a specific interest in what you have to say. So while your blog is perhaps more for the purpose of acquiring new clients, a newsletter is best fitted for engaging with current clients.

Another thing to keep in mind is that when you have information to share that you feel would be valuable for both potential and existing clients, sometimes a slight adjustment in wording or format between mediums can make your content fit both a blog post and a newsletter.

Building Your List

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to attract and engage with clients and is the means through which you’ll facilitate your newsletter. This is where you create a list of contacts to communicate with via email. But acquiring a list takes time and effort. Some therapists choose to gather emails at speaking events and conferences. Others may ask for permission to leave a sign-up sheet at physicians’ offices or other public settings. Also, providing an opt-in on your website or blog is another way to generate contacts for your list. If you are taking the time to create content for newsletters, you want enough readers to make it worth your while, and building your email list is key.

Programs for Email Newsletters:

Although some do choose to send hard copies of their newsletters, most opt to use emails (hard copies quickly get expensive, and dealing with home addresses can be very inconvenient). But in order to be more efficient and professional, you’ll want to use another email program than simply Gmail or Yahoo. Some well-known systems for email lists include Mailchimp and Constant Contact. These both have free trial periods and then have varying prices depending on your number of subscribers and the volume of emails you send out. Thankfully, email marketing programs for your newsletters are not very costly investments; Mailchimp allows users to send unlimited emails to 500 subscribers for only $10 per month. Take time to experiment with the different features and automations of these programs, and they can be an invaluable part of your newsletter campaign.

Newsletters are yet another way to reach out to your community and get the word out about your private practice. Consider the time investment necessary, the potential results (acquiring new clients, having more individuals come to your events, gaining more blog readers, etc.), and the costs, and then decide whether they would be a useful tool for your therapy practice.

I’m excited to introduce you to the kick off of a new series: Therapist Turned Entrepreneur and introduce to you a mental health professional who transformed his training into creating mental health related businesses. Howard Spector is a therapist turned entrepreneur and is the creator of TrackYourHours.com and more recently, SimplePractice management system. Here is his story:

Tell us about your background (college experience and degree, career beginnings, etc.).

Wow, big question. I’ve had a number of careers as I tried to find the one that really fit. I attended USC for undergrad, and then after some years working in the entertainment industry found myself in Palo Alto while my wife was doing her medical residency at Stanford. I was always a bit of a technology geek and really connected with what was happening in Silicon Valley. We eventually ended up back in Los Angeles where I had some success with a number of technology companies. Then one day, I realized how disconnected I felt from the work I was doing and decided that I needed to reconnect with what was important to me, and also that a major career change was part of that. There was a particular school, Pacifica Graduate Institute, that I had always wanted to attend. Pacifica has a unique program where you basically live there for 3 days a month and are immersed in this wonderfully rich world of depth psychology. When I began school there, it felt like coming home. It was one of the most important experiences in my life, and I am very grateful for it.

With your business savvy and drive, you could have gone in many different directions. Why did you decide to apply your expertise to the mental health profession?

After graduating from Pacifica, I was doing my internship in California, and the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) has very confusing rules for how you need to accrue, track, and report your 3000 hours of clinical experience. After fumbling around with a complex spreadsheet, I realized that this whole process would be better served by a web-based product. So I developed a product called TrackYourHours. It had all the BBS rules and forms built in, and it turned into a very sophisticated piece of software that was simple to use. It caught on quickly, and thousands and thousands of pre-license clinicians now use it. So that was where the entrepreneur in me really kicked in – I saw a need and filled it.

I was getting close to completing my 3000 hours of training and started to look at practice management products to find one I would want to use. To be honest, I was very unimpressed by what was out there. Products were either outdated and just horrific to look at or too complex for me. I wanted something simple and intuitive. So I decided to build my own.

You’ve had tremendous success with your product. Explain some specific things you’ve been able to achieve with SimplePractice.

The most important thing for me is that our customers love our product for the reasons we set out to achieve – it’s simple and intuitive. I am also very proud of our team. We work insane hours to make sure we are adding the necessary features to our product so we can fulfill our promise to our customers. We are able to innovate very efficiently and are able to build out our product in ways that keeps new features well integrated and intuitive, as opposed to just slapping things on top of one another.

One of your main messages is the idea of “counselor as entrepreneur.” Why is it important for solo health practitioners to think of themselves as entrepreneurs? What are some ways that they can get into that mindset?

I don’t think this is limited to solo practitioners; it applies to anyone in any setting. I think the message that “you are an entrepreneur” provides the necessary reframe for this community. Being called to this special work is a gift, but that doesn’t mean this melding of art and science is not a business. It is very much a business, and one cannot survive and thrive by ignoring that. I want these health and wellness practitioners to embrace the business part of their practice and understand that as an entrepreneur/small business owner, there are things they can do to have greater success – and that that’s ok.

One of our interests here at Private Practice Toolbox is helping counselors generate income in ways other than seeing clients. We’ve talked about speaking, writing, and teaching, but as of yet haven’t discussed software creation and development. Is there any specific advice or insight you can offer to tech-savvy clinicians thinking of venturing into that realm?

The first thing that comes to mind is that developing software is a lot harder than it looks. There is so much detail work that has to be attended to, and there is no gray area; software is black and white. There are so many use cases for something as seemingly simple as recovering a lost password. For example, do you click on a ‘forgot password’ link and then send the user to a page to enter some information – what information? What if the user enters it wrong? Is there an error message? Where? What does it say? The list goes on…and on…and on.

I don’t say this to be discouraging. I say it because based on my experience talking with customers, most don’t realize the work it takes to develop even mediocre software. So my advice is this: If you have an idea, by all means, pursue it. If it’s software-related, then find someone to work with who has experience developing software. And be prepared to spend money on good developers and designers. My mom has this great saying: “Cheap is expensive.” When it comes to developing software, especially software in the health market where there are significant security requirements needed to protect patient health information, don’t be cheap.

To recap: Follow your dreams and passions, and if that happens to be developing software, then understand the costs of time and money it takes to develop something valuable.

Not only do you have an innovative software program, but through your company blog, you are also involved in educating clinicians on how to best run their practice from a business standpoint. Why is it important for you to share your wisdom and skills?

Because I am incredibly passionate about this work. I have some insights into this field because I trained as a clinician, and I want this community to embrace the business side of their practice. The services clinicians provide are invaluable, and they should be well compensated for all the time they put into getting educated and trained. The more they think of themselves as entrepreneurs, and the more they can see the parallel between other industries and theirs, the more it will help them. I think I have more to offer than just a great software product, and if I can help clinicians, even ones that don’t use SimplePractice, then that is awesome.

Howard Spector is the CEO and Founder of SimplePractice. He has years of experience creating and developing technology companies and was the creator of TrackYourHours.com. He has a MA in Psychology from Pacifica Graduate Institute and a BA from he University of Southern California.

]]>http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/03/therapist-turned-entrepreneur-howard-spector-founder-and-ceo-of-simplepractice/feed/16 Things I Learned from ‘Breaking Up’ With Managed Carehttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/03/6-things-i-learned-from-breaking-up-with-managed-care/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/03/6-things-i-learned-from-breaking-up-with-managed-care/#commentsFri, 06 Mar 2015 00:00:57 +0000http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=6858It was a scary step to resign from all insurance panels! I wasn’t aware of any therapists who had built a fee-for-service practice in my area. The things I learned in the process of were better than I had expected.

When my practice Wasatch Family Therapy transitioned from managed care panels to a private pay model over a decade ago, I anticipated a few things would happen; I knew that this business decision would help allow me more control over the type and length of therapy, that I would have less paperwork, and I would get paid at the time of service. However, there were some unexpected lessons I learned as well. Here are 6 things I learned from breaking up with managed care:

I Learned:

the value of my perceived value.

When potential clients learned that I employed a private pay model, they seemed to perceive me as a more competent provider. “You must be really good if you don’t have to be on insurance panels.” My clinical skills hadn’t changed, but my perceived value went up because of how I presented my services. It’s surprising how much the way we clinicians value and present ourselves affect how others see us.

that I felt more alive in my clinical work.

The stress of constant paper work and phone calls that was part of being on managed care panels unfortunately led me to resent the work I was doing. However, after transitioning to a private pay model, I could refocus my energy on the reason I went into the mental health profession. Since I no longer felt drained by jumping through hoops for insurance companies, I was able to rediscover my passion and love of doing clinical therapy.

that I deserved to be compensated well.

The work we do is vitally important, and it’s not selfish to desire income stability for yourself as a mental health professional. Resigning from managed care helped reaffirm to me that I do deserve to be well compensated for my clinical services.

that I had more time and energy for family and other passions.

The income stability, decreased stress, and increased time that a private pay model afforded me meant that I could invest more in my hobbies and in my relationships. I’ve been able to pursue many of my passions, including songwriting and getting my PhD, and I’ve cherished the relationships that I’ve been able to nurture and devote more time to.

how to present my fees with confidence.

Understandably, a mental health professional transitioning from managed care to private pay may feel some hesitation about talking about his/her service fees. I initially felt this reluctance as well. Few people are confident in talking about money! But, as time went on I learned to overcome this challenge and present my fees and talk about a fee-for-service model with ease (click here for more about how to create and assertively implement a financial policy for your clients).

how to generously refer to colleagues.

It can be difficult for many clinicians to refer potential clients to other providers. We may feel somewhat of a scarcity mentality, and that if we don’t decide to do therapy work with a certain individual there may not be any other clients who want our services. I realized that even if I didn’t see a client for therapy, I could still serve him/her by providing referral options. For example, I could identify sliding scale fee clinics in the area or email names of therapists who were on an insurance panel or were in some way a better fit. By doing this, not only was I helping individuals find the care they needed, but I was also helping other colleagues in my community by providing them with more business. Referring to outside sources has been an incredibly important aspect of working with a fee-for-service practice, as Wasatch Family Therapy currently refers at least 50% of our inquiries to other providers in the community.

Click here for access to the full webinar “How to Break Up With Managed Care and Build a Thriving Private Pay Model.”

This is not the first time you’ve heard me share my perspective on the problems of building private practice based on managed care. The original intent of these third-party companies was to ensure equity for those who receive treatment, but the actual results have been far from successful and have caused a myriad of problems. Some have even described managed care as the cause of the mental health care crisis. And while managed care wreaks havoc on the field as a whole, this system is also problematic for private therapy practices. As a clinician, I can certainly attest to this. My guess is that you can too. Here are the 3 main ways that using managed care panels may be hurting your practice:

1) Micromanagement of Treatment

Managed care panels have a way of micromanaging you in a supposed attempt to make you accountable. This means that a therapist often has less say and control in the type, length, and modality of treatment provided to the client, who has also has less input in the process. Think about it: an outside, commercial middle-man is dictating how you, the professional, help your client. It’s easy to see how such a system lends itself to inadequacy and substandard care.

The mandatory diagnosing of clients is arguably the most deplorable part of using managing care panels. You are often required to provide a diagnosis, even if you do not believe your client has one. Even worse, some companies only accept certain kinds of diagnoses, which only further restricts your ability to provide ethical and accurate information and care.

2) Business Inefficiency

Communicating with managed care companies is a nightmare. There’s excessive paperwork to fill out and phone calls to make. The hassle is never-ending, and it takes away from what you want to do: use your professional skills to serve your clients. Not only is your business inefficient and time-consuming to operate, but by looking at the math, you’ll discover that your overall costs are increased as well. Even analyzing things solely from a business perspective, it’s evident that using managed care is not a desirable model.

3) Payment Problems

When working with managed care their contracted rates were 40-60% of my full fee. Not only was there a low fee, but there was also the frustration of denied or delayed payments. There would sometimes be problems with the paperwork, or things would get lost in the tedious communication, and I wouldn’t get paid for weeks or even months. I wasn’t being sufficiently compensated for my work, and I wasn’t always being paid in a timely manner. It was disheartening to say the least. It is emotionally and financially draining, and we deserve better.

These are three of the major ways managed care can hurt your practice (although there are certainly more). Thankfully, there’s a better way. A way you can work less and earn more. I’m excited to share you with in upcoming posts about how transitioning to a fee-for-service model helped me build a thriving practice.

Click here to access my webinar, “Breaking Up With Managed Care” to learn even more tips and strategies.

Therapist blog challenge #18 deals with how to have a disagreement with a loved one while still preserving your relationship.

[Headline] Come up with a catchy title for your blog post. Here are a few examples:

Debating with Dignity: How to Disagree and Still Be Friends

Maintaining Relationships When You Having Different Opinions

Agree to Disagree: Respectfully Holding Differing Views

[Strong Intro] Lay out the topic with a little more detail in an opening paragraph. Below is an example:

There’s no shortage of controversial issues in our world. Politics, religion, social issues, and even personal tastes in music and art can cause conflict in our interactions with others. But what happens when you disagree about certain topics with a romantic partner, family member, or close friend? Can you maintain your views without sabotaging your relationship? Yes! Here are 5 strategies to disagreeing on certain issues while still maintaining a strong connection with your loved one:

Before engaging in a (heated) debate, ask yourself if the discussion is valuable enough to have. If you feel strongly about a particular subject, then maybe it is worth it to express yourself and make sure you are heard. But if it’s a topic that doesn’t resonate personally or is otherwise irrelevant, it’s probably not a good idea to risk putting a strain on your relationship. A common saying is that, “you don’t have to attend every argument you’re invited to.” Additionally, be conscious of your environment. A workplace or family gathering is not the place to have a heated debate. If you feel you must discuss something controversial, make sure you have a private setting in which to do so.

Practice Respect

If you do decide to freely discuss something about which you disagree, respect is crucial. Always, always avoiding name-calling and yelling. No argument is worth that. Being respectful with your words and body language can not only preserve your relationship, but can also facilitate the conversation and make it more productive. The famous actress/ comedian Amy Poehler has said, “If you can speak about what you care about to someone you disagree with, you just may be heard.”

Find Common Ground

Take a moment to find things you do agree upon. For example, perhaps you are discussing a current health issue. It’s a good idea to acknowledge not only your differing opinions, but also to state that you both want a solution that will benefit society. Finding common ground can help you relate to one another. You don’t necessarily have to surrender your viewpoint, but try to reach some level of consensus.

Check Your Pride

It’s not uncommon for conversations about controversial subjects to devolve into power-struggles. Make sure you are expressing your beliefs instead of exercising your pride. Avoid engaging in debate simply to satisfy your ego, as this can lead to things escalating out of control. Don’t allow your desire to be right become more important than your relationship.

Take a Break

Discussions about the hot button issues have a way of dragging on forever. Those involved often go around in circles, and at some point, the conversation is no longer productive. If you find yourself hearing or repeating the same arguments, or if things become too heated, take a break. Better yet, end the conversation altogether! While you don’t necessarily need to avoid disagreement altogether, you have to know when to stop.

[Strong ending paragraph] The final paragraph wraps up your post and can include a summary of important points.

Disagreeing on tough issues can be done in a loving, productive way. Not every debate needs to end with one person converting to the other’s point of view; and that’s okay (especially in relationships)! By using respectful language, keeping your pride and emotions in check, and stopping if things get too intense, you can successfully agree to disagree.

Additional reminders about the Therapist Blog Challenge:

Write and post your blog article in the next 2 weeks. If you miss the deadline or you read this article months later, that’s OK too. Post a link for this blog challenge in the comment section of this blog post.

Read, comment, and share other therapist’s articles.

Tweet your post using hashtag #therapistblog and tag @julie_hanks so I can retweet it.

Spread the word and invite mental health colleagues to join the challenge. Articles can be added anytime throughout the year.

Write no more than 600 words, make it easy to read, use a conversational tone, and gear your articles toward your ideal client (not other professionals).

The goal of a professional blog is to provide value to your website visitors, help them get to know your professional perspective, increase traffic to your private practice website, and build your practice.

Like any worthwhile endeavor, building a successful private practice takes a lot of work, time, and know-how. So why not consult the experts? Here’s a list of 10 of the best websites (listed in no particular order) to help you do just that:

Drawing from his 20+ years of experience, Dr. Ofer Zur gives insight on virtually all aspects of the field of psychotherapy and the mental health profession, including practice building and continuing education. He offers practical resources on such topics as using a newsletter for marketing and how to deal with collections agencies. Many of Dr. Zur’s publications and packages have a set price, but he does give some free articles and videos.

Tamara G. Suttle, M.Ed., LPC has run a private clinical practice since 1991 and wants to share her secrets to success. She includes tips on blogging, how to build your website, and marketing your practice. Her site is very interactive, as you can submit your own questions and also have the potential to contribute a guest post.

Joe Sanock, MA, LLP, LPC, NCC, is committed to making counselors awesome by sharing the business and social media info that he’s acquired in his years of private practice. He covers a wide variety of topics, such as how to use WordPress and Bluehost to build your own site, finding your niche as a therapist, and how to use Google Keyword Planner to rank higher in search engines. Joe also runs a very successful podcast where he discusses even more tricks of the trade. He even discloses his monthly income report and shows exactly how he has managed to increase his earnings through his side professional activities.

Miranda Palmer, LMFT and Kelly Higdon, LMFT are no-nonsense experts in all things private practice! Become part of their Business Bootcamp, where a community of clinicians offer their experience and support to help each other (re)examine beliefs concerning money and private ownership, create a business vision, and build a sturdy foundation to grow into a thriving psychotherapy practice!

Cathy Hanville, LCSW knows that being a great psychotherapist is not enough, and she offers consulting to help you take your business to the next level. By reviewing your social media campaign, helping you streamline your billing procedures to make them more efficient, and helping you get started with blogging, Cathy can guide you on how to market and manage your practice to expand your outreach and create a robust practice.

When Camille McDaniel, LPC, CPCS first started out in private practice, she worked long hours without a clear vision of her own. Once she educated herself on marketing, business skills, and how to develop multiple income streams, she was able to have more creative control of her practice and find more fulfillment in her work. Her goal with “The Counselor Entrepreneur” is to help other counselors tap into their own creativity and use it to help others.

Building upon the principles she gives in her book, Casey Truffo spills the beans on all things related to becoming financially well-off as a therapist. She tells how to attract full-fee clients, how to change a negative or inaccurate mindset that hurts your practice, and how to increase your income when you’re already capped out with clients.

Samara Stone, LCSW and founder of The Stone Foundation built her own practice from the ground up. Wanting to help others replicate the success that she herself has had, Samara shares valuable information and tips about the importance of networking with other professionals in the field, how to work hard in building your practice without burning out, and best practices for selecting administrative staff.

Founder Mark Silva understands the dilemma of wanting to make a difference in people’s lives but also realistically needing to earn a living. Though not specific to the mental health profession, Heart of Business seeks to help entrepreneurs run their businesses in such a way that they can serve their clients while still meeting their own needs. You can receive small-group coaching for personalized attention and support, or you can subscribe to a free newsletter to get tips and strategies delivered to your inbox.

This list would be incomplete without the very website you are reading right now! I love the opportunity to share with my tribe the lessons that I have learned since founding my own practice in 2002, but I think the real strength of Private Practice Toolbox is that it’s all about you! We crowd-source through social media to generate inquiries, ideas, and input about all things related to private practice. We also highlight and celebrate those who’ve found success, who then share their secrets with the rest of us.

]]>http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/02/top-10-websites-for-building-your-private-practice/feed/2How Media Exposure Can Grow Your Practice: Podcast Interviewhttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/02/how-media-exposure-can-grow-your-practice-podcast-interview/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/02/how-media-exposure-can-grow-your-practice-podcast-interview/#commentsTue, 03 Feb 2015 16:08:27 +0000http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=6781I thought you’d you enjoy this lively interview with Joe Sanok of Practice of the Practice Podcast about my private practice journey from a solo practitioner to a clinic with 3 locations and 20 employees. We cover a lot of ground during this podcast! In addition to tips about gaining media exposure you’ll also find:

]]>http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/02/how-media-exposure-can-grow-your-practice-podcast-interview/feed/0Adventures in Private Practice: Weight Management Counselor Michelle Lewis, LCSWhttp://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/01/adventures-in-private-practice-weight-management-counselor-michelle-lewis-lcsw/
http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/2015/01/adventures-in-private-practice-weight-management-counselor-michelle-lewis-lcsw/#commentsTue, 27 Jan 2015 18:27:34 +0000http://pro.psychcentral.com/private-practice/?p=6757This series highlights the successful private practitioners’ journey in private practice so you can learn from their successes and missteps. One of the unexpected benefits of writing this blog is that I’ve been able to meet and connect with practitioners around the globe. The therapist featured today actually is not on the other side of the world, but is in the same city, and practices only a few blocks away from my practice.

Michelle Lewis, LCSW and I worked together for one consultation and since then, I’ve been able to watch her really dig in, focus on her niche, and develop a successful practice. She is not only a great practice owner, but is a compassionate person and passionate about her work. Get to know Michelle.

Tell me about your practice…

I own a group practice called Salt Lake Weight Counseling. We specialize in helping clients identify and overcome emotional barriers to weight management. We specifically target emotional eating, food addiction, body image, and patterns of self-sabotage. Working with these issues, we also treat a significant amount of trauma. By addressing the trauma, we are able to help clients heal their relationship with food and end the war with their body.

Why did you decide to open a private practice?

I worked in a residential treatment with adolescents for many years, and the stress really started burning me out, so I took a job in a corporate wellness program through an insurance company. They hired me to work with members to identify emotional barriers related to their health goals. I worked with a lot of clients who struggled with self-sabotage in weight loss. They would yo-yo up and down with the same 10, 20, or 50 pounds over and over again and could not figure out why this happened. I started using my training as an addictions counselor and helped those clients experience success that they had never seen prior. During this time, I had started building a part-time private practice. I wasn’t sure if full-time private practice was for me, but as I developed my specialty, I found myself more and more drawn to the idea. Once I took the leap, I really looked forward to my time in my own office and loved the passion that came with my work. I also loved having total control over my schedule and the clients I was working with. Since moving from my full-time corporate job to full-time private practice, the passion and excitement around my work has continued to grow. I love the energy that comes with developing an expertise and working with your ideal client every day!

Clients that therapists find to be the most “difficult” are sometimes the ones who can teach them the most. What have you learned from your toughest clients?

My toughest clients challenge me to be a better therapist. It is easy to get stuck in a rut when you find a formula that works well. When I find clients who struggle to heal, it forces me to try new methods and educate myself on new skills. It actually revives the passion I feel about this work!

What’s your biggest pet peeve about private practice?

Handling money. I think the cliché about therapists being allergic to money is so true! The greatest thing about working for someone else is not having to ask anyone for money. I hate having to follow up with people who have overdue bills, so we started keeping a credit card to avoid the hassle. That has made life so much easier!

How did you discover or develop your practice “niche”?

I am passionate about health and wellness in general. I am an avid cyclist and hiker, so when I found my job through the insurance company’s wellness program, I jumped at the chance. It felt like it was what I was made to do. For the first time, I really felt connected to my work in a meaningful way.

What resource (book, website, person) helped you the most when setting up your private practice?

Honestly, you helped me the most, Julie. I set up one consultation session, and you helped me clarify my goals and direct my marketing to my ideal client. My practice really took off after that session.

What has surprised you most about being in private practice?

How rewarding it is! I have had jobs that felt rewarding, but this has taken my work to a whole new level. When I started thinking about private practice, I saw it as a way to work less and make more. This is true, but it goes beyond the financial benefits. This isn’t just my career, it is my calling. I think having control over what I do and how I do it has helped me expand my horizons beyond what I thought was possible.

Has your private practice helped you grow professionally?

It forces me to stay on top of my game by constantly exploring new skills and techniques. I am always reading and attending trainings beyond the required number of CEUs. I love learning as much as possible to help my clients heal.

Has it helped you grow personally, too?

It helps me live the life I want. It gives me flexibility to travel, hike, bike, and engage in other activities that keep me balanced and energized.

Being a therapist can be emotionally exhausting. What do you do to care for your own emotions and psychological health?

Spending time with friends, my husband, and my dog are key. When I am having a stressful day, my favorite activity is walking my dog while I listen to an audiobook.

How do you cope with the inevitable stressors involved with being your own boss?

Self-care is key. By taking care of my physical and emotional health consistently, the stressors aren’t as powerful. I try to be solution-minded. Instead of getting caught up in the stress, I try to come up with a game plan and then identify potential pitfalls in the future.

What personal strengths have helped you succeed in private practice?

Organizational skills are key! You have to know who’s on first at all times! Also, dedication and determination are so important. I feel a dedication to my clients and work tirelessly to help them achieve their goals. I am also determined when it comes to my business. I am consistently looking for ways to improve the work we do.